Chuck Sweeny: Hey, cuz! You hear Maria's is closing?

Saturday

Nov 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM

The big news in Greater Rockford last week was the announcement by the Cason family that they are closing the family restaurant, Maria's Italian Cafe, at the end of the year. The final night of food, drink and fun at the corner of Corbin and Cunningham streets is Dec. 31. One more "Hey, Cuz!" place bites the dust.

The story spread on Facebook like wildfire. I posted a version, saying I feel as if my city is disappearing before my eyes. I included a YouTube link to similar sentiments expressed about Akron, Ohio, by Chrissie Hynde in "My City Was Gone" by The Pretenders:

"I went back to Ohio, but my city was gone; There was no train station; there was no downtown,

"South Howard had disappeared; all my favorite places; My city had been pulled down ­— reduced to parking spaces."

I have many memories of Maria's, which was the first restaurant I took my future wife to in September 1969. My dad took his English war bride wife there in 1947.

Maria's has been a gathering place in south Rockford for more than 90 years, serving presidents, governors and local politicians; rock stars and top names from the Big Band era. But mostly, it served ordinary folks.

Why are they closing it? Joey Cason said, "We decided it was time." No use prying into that. It's their business.

I received many responses to my Facebook post, including one from Max Knauer, a retired teacher in Des Moines, Iowa. I met Max while covering the 2000 and 2004 Iowa caucuses and again at Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry in Indianola. Max wants to come to Maria's before it closes.

I also received a friendly critique from Jay Graham of Graham Spencer.

"Chuck, that seems a little grim," Jay said of my post. "It's true that it sucks that Maria's is closing — I love that place and am sorry I soon won't be able to duck my head in the kitchen door and say hi to Joey, standing behind a steaming pot of noodles," he said.

"It's also true that we have a growing number of other establishments where you can get an excellent meal in Rockford. Some of the folks who have created those places and their patrons are making memories right now that will be treasured in the future. It is sad, though, I agree. Then again, knowing you, you might be writing that with tongue firmly implanted in cheek, in which case I want my last 2.5 minutes back."

I am overly dramatic sometimes — on purpose. So I'll return 90 seconds to Jay. New places are being born all the time. New traditions are being created. The Forest City is being replanted every day. So, as Eric Idle reminded us: "Always look on the bright side of Life!"

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, here is my "Maria's" story:

In September 1988, Vice President George H. W. Bush was running for president. He had just finished a barnstorming bus trip up the old Highway 51 from Normal, stopping to give speeches in towns along the way. I covered the trip (sitting next to a Swede on the foreign reporters' bus) and remarked on the enthusiasm. I concluded that Bush would win, because I'd also covered the dour campaign of Michael Dukakis.

Bush had dinner that night at Maria's with our congresswoman, Lynn Martin.

Fast forward to 1991, when Bush appointed Martin secretary of labor. I jokingly asked her to get me an invitation to the White House.

Some joke! About a month later I got a letter from "The White House" inviting me, along with about 30 other journalists from around the country, to spend a day at the White House. We went to briefings with cabinet secretaries and talked to Gen. Colin Powell, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

We had a news conference with the president. The national press corps was not allowed in.

When we broke for lunch, we walked down that big hallway with the red carpet, to go to the news conference with the president.

The President walked with us. He was known for remembering small details from his days as head of the Republican National Committee, and saw my name tag that said "Rockford, Illinois." Bush cracked a wily grin and said cheerily:

"Heyyyyy, Rockford, Illinois! Ate there at a place called Maria's. Didn't have to eat again for a week!"